NCCIH is not involved in the clinical training, credentialing, or licensing of complementary health practitioners.

The mission of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is to define, through rigorous scientific investigation, the usefulness and safety of complementary and integrative health approaches and their roles in improving health and health care. The requirements for treating patients vary considerably from state to state and among the different practices. Differences in Licensing Requirements for Complementary Health Practitioners

For example, it has authorized The Council on Chiropractic Education to accredit chiropractic colleges and the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine to accredit acupuncture programs. Department of Education authorizes specific organizations to accredit education or training programs. Schools and educational programs across the country train complementary health practitioners and prepare them for certification in their field. Some of the other professional organizations involved in certification include the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), and the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. Certification may play a role in qualifying graduates for state licensure.įor example, in most states acupuncturists must be certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or pass that organization’s exams to be licensed. Professional organizations in some complementary health professions offer certification examinations to graduates of accredited education and training programs.

Different types of licenses in the us